Mingenback leaves St. Rose; public invited to an April 29 reception

Mark Mingenback already knows he will miss his extended family at St. Rose Health Center but he plans to remain active in the community and pursue new business opportunities.

“Yes, I am retiring from St. Rose but I am not done,” Mingenback said. “I am embarking on a new chapter in life and focusing on health-care and business-management consulting.”

Local and area residents will have the chance to voice their best wishes to Mingenback from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 29 in the main lobby at St. Rose.

“I cannot tell you how much I will miss this St. Rose family,” Mingenback said. “This is especially true because they have been at the center of transforming our health-care ministry to meet today’s different needs. They are stalwart in their loyalty to patients and the community.

“It is not just a paycheck for these people,” he continued. “They want to make a difference in people’s lives and provide high-quality health care. Nationwide, health care is focused on prevention and wellness, and St. Rose is at the forefront of this new era.”

Mingenback said he was gratified to be in the position to explain the reasons for the transitions from a hospital to a surgery center to a regional health-care center.

“I worked directly with many individuals, businesses and agencies to help everyone understand the reasons behind all the changes,” Mingenback said. “Health-care reform brought a lot of challenges and opportunities, and I was privileged to promote the new St. Rose and its many services.”

Mingenback noted this is a “valid time to step aside so that I can attain more personal and professional goals. I am confident in St. Rose’s future because of the staff and leadership here, as well as the support of our ownership.”

Hays Medical Center and Centura Health co-own St. Rose; local leaders are Zena Jacobs, site manager, and James McReynolds, M.D., medical director.

“Zena and Dr. McReynolds have the expertise that will help ensure St. Rose continues to prosper,” Mingenback said. “And equally important, they have the will and desire to expand services.”

Mingenback was a successful business owner and community leader in retail management, the oil business, farming and business-network development when the former Central Kansas Medical Center (CKMC) hired him in 2002.

His first title was vice president of medical staff development at CKMC and the former St. Joseph’s Hospital in Larned.

“I am pleased to say there are currently 10 doctors practicing in central Kansas today because of our recruitment efforts,” he noted. “When CKMC invited me to join its team they got a 2-for-1 deal. My wife, Leslie, was instrumental in many recruitment successes.

“She understands it is not just the doctors involved; it is their families too,” he continued. “Leslie embraced these new families and made them feel welcome in our home and the community. And she was never paid for this hard work; she did it all on a volunteer basis.”

When Mingenback was president of the CKMC Foundation, he met several goals. These included organizing two capital campaigns totaling $1.1 million; growing endowment funds for Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and Heartland Cancer Center (HCC) with a current market value of $2 million; and hosting events, such as the annual HCC auction and golf tournament.

“The endowments are now in the very capable hands of the Golden Belt Community Foundation,” he said. “I am grateful I could play a role in getting these funds started.”

Mingenback also was instrumental in bringing the Midwest Cancer Alliance to central Kansas and joined the MCA’s Funding Partners group. HCC remains an MCA member.

“We became an example of how to bring the expertise of the University of Kansas Cancer Center to rural Kansas,” he said. “We brought its resources to our own backyard. Many local families are thankful for these opportunities to seek treatment at home instead of traveling hundreds of miles.”

Mingenback said he also values the collaboration St. Rose has had with Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington.

Site Manager Jacobs said Mingenback has been a great asset to St. Rose over the years.

“Mark’s contributions to the organization have touched the lives of many people,” she said. “His expertise and dedication will be missed.”